by Rod Pearson
Friday, Dec 22, 2023
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, December 24, 2023
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lions -3, Vikings +3; Over/Under: 47 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lions -3, Vikings +3; Over/Under: 47 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lions -3.5, Vikings +3.5; Over/Under: 47 points
Season Record
Detroit Lions: 10-4 (1st place, NFC North)
Minnesota Vikings: 7-7 (2nd place, NFC North)
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Recent Form
Detroit Lions: won their last game at home against the Denver Broncos 42-17.
Minnesota Vikings: lost their last game on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime 27-24.
Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Preview and Analysis
The Lions are entering this game with a 10-4 record overall and they have a 2-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 5-2 in their home games, 5-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the Denver Broncos 42-17. Jared Goff was the starting QB and he completed 24/34 passes for 278 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs led the team in rushing yards with 100 and 1 TD. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the receivers with 112 receiving yards on 7 receptions and 1 TD. Alex Anzalone led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles while Ifeatu Melifonwu and Joshua Paschal each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
The Vikings are entering this game with a 7-7 record overall and they have a 2-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-4 in their home games, 5-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 in OT. Nick Mullens was the starting QB and he completed 26/33 passes for 303 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Ty Chandler led the team in rushing yards with 132 and 1 TD. Jordan Addison led the receivers with 111 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 2 TDs. Camryn Bynum led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while Danielle Hunter led the defense in sacks with 2. Akayleb Evans came away with the only interception for them in that game.
Lions vs Vikings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lions listed as a 3 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lions have looked really good in their games this season with their 10-4 record overall. They have also looked good in their road games with their 5-2 road record and they have a lot of momentum now after blowing out the Broncos last week. Meanwhile, the Vikings have looked decent this season with their 7-7 record overall but they have also been a very up and down team, going through streaks of winning and streaks of losing. They just lost last week to the Bengals in a game they were leading in and they need to win this game for the NFC Wild Card now. The Vikings have been through a ton of adversity this year, losing their starting QB and their star WR, but now everything is catching up to them and as good as Nick Mullens looked last week, it won't be enough to beat this Lions team with eyes set on winning the division right now. The Lions will also be motivated here since a win in this game will clinch the NFC North for them too. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lions to cover the spread in this game.
Lions Vikings Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, December 24, 2023 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Lions 31 Vikings 21.
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NFL Betting Trends
Detroit Lions: 32-16 ATS in all games. 8-4 ATS as a favorite. 11-5 ATS versus division opponents. 9-1 ATS after a win by 10 or more points. 9-5 OVER in all games. 12-5 ATS as a favorite. 20-11 OVER in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points.
Minnesota Vikings: 4-11 ATS in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 45.5. 3-6 ATS after gaining 6.5 or more yards/play in their previous game. 11-6 OVER in a home game where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points. 16-6 OVER after 1 or more consecutive losses against the spread.
Key Injuries
Detroit Lions: P. Sewell (OT) Ques Sun - Shoulder. L. Onwuzurike (DL) Ques Sun - Knee. D. Barnes (LB) Ques Sun - Shoulder. B. Wright (TE) Ques Sun - Hip. C. Gardner-Johnson (DB) Ques Sun - Pectoral. J. Cabinda (FB) Ques Sun - Knee. J. Houston (LB) Early Jan - Ankle. H. Hooker (QB) Prob Sun - Knee. J. Jacobs (CB) Ques Sun - Hamstring. A. McNeill (DL) Out indefinitely - Knee. H. Vaitai (G) Out indefinitely - Back. S. Daly (LS) Out indefinitely - Knee. E. Moseley (CB) I-R - Knee. Z. Knight (RB) I-R - Shoulder. M. Nelson (OT) Out indefinitely - Ankle. N. Sudfeld (QB) I-R - Knee. S. Zylstra (TE) I-R - Knee.
Minnesota Vikings: S. Day (DL) Ques Sun - Ankle. J. Bullard (DL) Ques Sun - Ankle. H. Phillips (DL) Ques Sun - Back. B. Murphy Jr. (CB) Ques Sun - Knee. D. Hunter (LB) Ques Sun - Illness. M. Davenport (LB) Early Jan - Ankle. J. Hicks (LB) Ques Sun - Leg. A. Mattison (RB) Ques Sun - Ankle. C. Reed (G) Ques Sun - Illness. J. Nailor (WR) Ques Sun - Concussion. B. O'Neill (OT) Ques Sun - Ankle. J. Hall (QB) Out indefinitely - Concussion. D. Lowry (DL) I-R - Pectoral. C. Akers (RB) I-R - Achilles. K. Cousins (QB) I-R - Achilles. O. Udoh (G) I-R - Quadricep. J. Lynch (DL) I-R - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“It was the ultimate team win. The defense started it out for us.” - Dan Campbell after his team’s win against the Broncos in their last game.
“Very unfortunate. Come on the road and battle a team that’s playing well right now. Felt like we let one slip away.” - Kevin O’Connell after his team’s loss against the Bengals in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Detroit Lions
WR Reynolds, Josh
WR Williams, Jameson
WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra
TE LaPorta, Sam
QB Goff, Jared
RB Gibbs, Jahmyr
Minnesota Vikings
WR Jefferson, Justin
WR Addison, Jordan
WR Osborn, K.J.
TE Hockenson, T.J.
QB Mullens, Nick
RB Mattison, Alexander
FB Ham, C.J.
Statistical Leaders
Detroit Lions
Passing: J. Goff (3727)
Rushing: D. Montgomery (855)
Receiving: A. St. Brown (1175)
Touchdowns: D. Montgomery (10)
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: J. Dobbs (2464)
Rushing: A. Mattison (660)
Receiving: T. Hockenson (902)
Touchdowns: J. Addison (9)
Coaches:
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (3rd season)
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
